Henry Smith MP has joined Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in welcoming changes to the way that train delays are recorded, benefiting consumers by making it easier to hold train companies serving Three Bridges, Crawley, Ifield and Gatwick Airport stations to account. 

Under the old system, trains are considered delayed if they are five or 10 minutes late. This will now change to measuring punctuality to a single minute of its scheduled arrival time.

This Government has made improving the punctuality of trains one of its top transport priorities and this new measure will make it easier to identify trains that are not performing as they should for passengers.

Henry said;

“We rely on the trains to get to work, visit friends and access local services so it’s vital that we have a reliable service that people can have trust in.

“When a train is delayed, even for a relatively short time, passengers should know and be able to hold companies accountable. This new measure gives people that power.

“Boris Johnson and this Government will ensure that no part of this country is left behind, and no business is held back, because of poor transport, levelling up opportunities across the country and helping communities like ours in Crawley to prosper.”

Decent, reliable transport connections are vital, not just to boost growth and bring our regions together, but to rejuvenate some of the towns that often feel left behind in this country.

Under this Government, the railways are undergoing the biggest modernisation since the Victorian times, with £48 billion being spent on new trains, track upgrades and making sure passengers have access to better and more reliable data.

The new plans will also give passengers detailed information on the causes of train delays, ensuring passengers always feel that they are being provided with the best possible service.